Go green on a train holiday with PTG Tours

With increasing awareness of global warming and carbon emissions, more and more holiday-makers are becoming concerned about the environmental impact of flying. Green tourism is rapidly developing into one of the fastest-growing areas of the tourism industry; one million Britons took eco-friendly holidays in 2006, worth an estimated £406m, according to consumer research group Mintel.

Mintel also predicted a 25% growth in this area year-on-year. If you are keen to reduce your carbon footprint and do your bit for the environment, that doesn't mean having to give up your long-awaited holiday and sit in the garden for two weeks. There are plenty of fabulous European rail holidays on offer from PTG Tours which offer both culture and a chance to do something a bit different.

PTG Tours use vintage locomotives (sometimes steam) and carriages, where available, therefore adding to the atmosphere. By using trains you get to see the most beautiful areas from the comfort of your First Class seat in the most relaxing and safest form of transport. Many of the areas visited are only visible from the railway line. As well as this, you can take pride in the fact that you are not contributing to carbon emissions and doing your bit for the planet.

PTG holidays all have a railway theme but include visits to exciting locations which are nearby, such as Portugal, Spain, Bulgaria and Sweden, and further afield, such as the USA, Ukraine, Argentina, Cuba and Russia. Each trip boasts visits to places of interest, like historic cities, gardens, vineyards, port lodges, river cruises and much more.

Rail travel, via the Eurostar, is available to connect with most of the tours, so you can get to your trip without feeling guilty. It's never been easier to visit top European destinations without having to fly. Explore the Douro Valley in Portugal by train and river cruide, admire the coast and mountains of north-west Spain aboard the legendary El Transcantabrico, or visiting Sweden's famous Ice Bar.

Or if you don't want to go so far afield, why not discover the UK on a relaxing holiday by train, exploring places of interest in comfort. Travel in style aboard a first class private train on a land cruise to west Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to see the sights and attractions that represent some of the best Cornwall has to offer. Or experience the Orcadian Weekend for spectacular Highland scenery, great meals and comfortable accommodation.

On all our tours you have the services of our guides to help you as much or as little as you feel you need. Our guides are ex-pats who have lived in Portugal or Spain for many years and therefore have extensive knowledge of the areas we visit and are able to help with any language barriers in the more remote regions. All tours are fully escorted by a PTG Tour Manager except the Douro River Cruise.

For the ultimate in fascinating cultural holidays which are also eco-friendly, or 'responsible', PTG holidays have it all.

For more information, visit PTG.co.uk.